When the end credits roll on Severance‘s Season 2 finale, Ms. Casey, Gemma Scout, and Dichen Lachman fans alike will be utterly devastated.
The heartbreaking series of events kicks off when the Severed Floor’s Wellness Director, Ms. Casey, walks into the exit stairwell and transitions back to Gemma. While the scene marks a long-awaited moment of freedom, it may also be the last we’ll ever see of our beloved Ms. Casey.
If that wasn’t sad enough, when Gemma turns around and urges Innie Mark (Adam Scott) to follow her through the door, he hesitates and ultimately chooses to stay at Lumon to be with Helly (Britt Lower). As they run away together right before Gemma’s eyes, the final blow to the heart comes from Lachman, who gives one of her most affecting performances of the series while pounding on the door and screaming for Mark, who Gemma doesn’t initially realize is severed.
“I think I learned the ending just before we were shooting 207. I was like, ‘The audience is going to lose it. There’s going to be memes of people throwing things at the TV,’” Severance‘s Dichen Lachman told Decider via Zoom. “I just remember getting quite emotional. Sometimes it’s hard to do that in a scene and you really have to work and use your craft. That’s when it comes in really handy. But I just got carried away with the storyline”
In honor of Severance‘s Season 2 finale, Lachman spoke with Decider about filming her emotional finale scenes, her thoughts on Gemma’s next steps, her love of Ms. Casey, the art of Serving Face, and more.
Gemma went through hell on that testing floor for years, finally escaped, and immediately lost her husband again. What was your initial response when you learned that major twist and what was it like shooting that emotional scene?
I think I learned the ending just before we were shooting 207. I was like, “The audience is going to lose it. There’s going to be memes of people throwing things at the TV.” [Laughs] When [Adam and Britt] were running, I wasn’t present. But it was a really complicated day technically, because we had a long zolly shot, which is where Ms. Casey walks out the door and transitions to Gemma. So getting that part right was really tricky, because usually if you’re transitioning in the elevator, you’re just in one place and you’re the same size in the frame. But when you’re walking a great distance your head gets shorter. So it was just finding the right smooth motion to get through that door, but also go through the transition of Ms. Casey into Gemma. And the last time she was Gemma, she was in the elevator, so there were so many little things happening that we had to do all at once. And then the banging on the door, I just remember getting quite emotional. Sometimes it’s hard to do that in a scene and you really have to work and use your craft. That’s when it comes in really handy. But I just got carried away with the storyline, and Adam and Britt did a wonderful job.
Speaking of emotional scenes, one of the most anticipated moments of the season was Outie Mark and Gemma’s reunion on the testing floor. Did you and Adam play that a variety of ways or was there a lot of clarity going into that scene?
I think everyone really agreed how that moment should be. It wasn’t so much trying different things. I feel like it was just about making sure that we captured the intensity of that moment. And it was a tricky scene to do, because obviously you’re going from Cold Harbor into Gemma. And so all those emotions have to explode out of her. Another tricky transition to make. But once it happened, I just got caught up in the story. And Adam is such a wonderful scene partner. So I feel really blessed.
Another major transition is when Mark and Gemma change to Mark S. and Ms. Casey mid-elevator kiss. Your line made me laugh out loud in that scene.
We actually had a lot of fun with that one. Just trying different things. Another intense moment where Gemma and Mark have reunited and then all of a sudden, this curious, very literal instance. In this case, it’s like, “What’s happening?” I love Ms. Casey. That’s a special character. I adore her and I was happy for her to get that moment. It’s really sad, because the minute Gemma walks out, that’s it for Ms. Casey.
How much do you know about Gemma’s next steps? I know you love reading fan theories, so do you have any theories about what Season 3 could look like for her?
It’s so much fun to see what the fans are saying. Sometimes I’m like, ‘Oh, that might actually be a good idea.’ Obviously I have my own theories, but I have so much faith in Dan Erickson that I’m just excited to see what he comes up with. Dan is such an extraordinary talent and also the kindest, nicest person with so much empathy. So I’m just so excited that this has turned into what it has for him. I couldn’t be more thrilled for him.
In addition to giving us our first substantial look at Mark and Gemma, Episode 207 also gave us a glimpse at Gemma’s relationship with Devon, who I imagine will be a real ally for her sister-in-law in Season 3. Did you enjoy finally getting to work with Jen Tullock and Michael Chernus? Here’s hoping you can reunite with them down the line.
I adore them as people, and I also love their characters and their relationship. I think people are far too hard on Ricken. [Laughs] I have a soft spot for Ricken. And if we get to work together again I would be absolutely thrilled.
We got some much-needed insight and answers this season, but there’s a lot we still don’t know. Is there something you’re most excited to explore or learn the answer to in Season 3?
Well, Gemma has a lot of innies — more than anyone else on the show. So that could be interesting to explore. I don’t know what they have planned, this is my own theory here, but I wonder how that affects her.
I know in Season 1 you had a Lana Del Rey song that helped you imagine a connection between Mark and Ms. Casey. Do you see yourself turning to music again — maybe more devastating or rageful songs — to access this new emotional space Gemma is in?
Yeah, once I see something, I love delving into music and finding my own thing. And Ben loves to play music to on set, which is so amazing. It helps you feel the tone of what he’s aiming for. I think music is so helpful in the creative process. When we were shooting Ms. Casey in the Wellness Center, Ben actually had the music that is on the show playing, so that was extraordinarily valuable just to feel the vibe of that room.
Before we wrap, you were only in a few Season 2 scenes before Episode 7, but fans have dubbed Ms. Casey the Queen of Serving Face. [Laughs] Are you committed to continued face serving in Season 3?
I didn’t know what that meant. I was like, is that bad? I had to look it up on ChatGPT. “What does serving face mean?” So as long as it’s positive, yeah.
I know Ms. Casey’s life was only 107 hours long and we didn’t see that much of it, but if this truly is the last we see of her, are you going to miss playing her?
I will miss her. She’s the innie I spent the most time with and the one I got to establish the most. And for me, one of the saddest scenes — just because I spent so much time with her — was in 207 when she thinks she might see her friends again and Mark S. And then Milchick sends her on her way. It’s just so sad.
We love you, Ms. Casey. And Justice for Gemma in Season 3.
This interview was edited for length and clarity.
Severance Season 1 and 2 are now streaming on Apple TV+.
